ABG Deckdrain Drainage Composite is a Cost-Effective Geosynthetic Drainage Material
Drainage composites perform a number of geosynthetic functions including separation, reinforcement, filtration, and drainage. They can be applied to a range of construction applications such as foundation walls, retaining walls and concrete slabs.
A drainage composite such as the DriwallTM Prefabricated Foundation Drain or the Trident Dimple Drain consists of a non-woven filter fabric that is bonded to and wraps around a molded polypropylene core. These drainage composites prevent soil intrusion into the core and allow for high water flow.
High Strength
Drainage composites offer an efficient, cost-effective alternative to traditional gravel based drainage layers for concrete slabs, foundation walls and retaining walls. They combine a plastic three-dimensional drainage core with a nonwoven geotextile fabric that allows for directional flow, and helps prevent soil intrusion or backfill clogging. These geocomposite prefabricated drains are designed to be installed under concrete slabs, in the foundation of a building, or alongside retaining walls and plaza decking to protect waterproofing membranes and provide drainage for the structure.
Mapedrain TD is a high strength, three-dimensional modular drainage and collection composite that features a nonwoven filter fabric bonded to and wrapped around a molded polypropylene core. The fabric minimizes fabric intrusion into the drainage channels and prevents the passage of soil or sand particles that would clog the core, composite drainage material while providing hydrostatic relief and allowing for high water flow into the core.
ABG Deckdrain is a UK manufactured, BBA certified product that combines a two-sided bonding water seepage geotextile with a three-dimensional plastic mesh drainage cell panel. It is designed to replace a traditional gravel or sand drainage layer and eliminates the need for costly onsite processing of granular fill material.
TREMDrain 6600 NW is an engineered drainage solution for green bridges and tunnels. It combines a three-dimensional, formed polypropylene drainage core with a high strength, nonwoven needle-punched polypropylene filter fabric that is heat bonded to the core. TREMDrain 6600 NW offers superior compressive strength and high drainage capacity, making it an ideal choice for vertical and select horizontal applications.
High Water Flow
The ability to handle high water flow conditions is critical in many situations. High flows increase erosion along channels and riparian areas. This erosion carries natural and man-made pollutants into the water. They include road surface chemicals (metals, salts, hydrocarbons), lawn fertilizer nutrients, pet droppings and litter – all of which harm natural ecosystems.
The ability of a drainage material to hold a high water flow is related to its porosity and infiltration capacity. It is also related to soil texture and structure, especially near the ground surface. Heavy clay soils are not very porous and do not infiltrate very well. They also tend to swell, which increases pore water pressure.
Rip-rap is gravel or rock that protects the soil from higher flows along channel sides. It has a blocky, rock-like structure and is typically placed to protect the channel banks in areas with steep slopes. In more gently sloped conditions, a less structural drainage pathway such as gravel, crushed rock or aggregate may be appropriate. In these cases, the drainage material should be sized based on the slope and expected volume rate or flow of the channel.
No Creep
ABG Deckdrain’s impressive compressive strength and creep resistance properties ensure that it retains drainage capacity under a wide range of conditions, which significantly reduces maintenance costs. In combination with a thick Terrex SNW protection geotextile, it can form a single-layer protective and drainage system for green bridges and tunnels, eliminating the need for a separate stone filter layer and saving significant installation costs.
Creep testing is an important component of the design process for any geosynthetic material. It’s particularly critical for those products that will be installed in situations where a significant amount of strain is expected, such as for landfill and contaminated land liner applications.
Creep is a complex phenomenon that is highly dependent on the microstructure of the material. It’s similar to plasticity in that there are a variety of factors that can affect (inhibit) creep. For example, a fine array of precipitates may be able to form on the surface of the material and raft together, which can inhibit dislocation glide. However, these features can differ from one type of material to another. For example, crystalline and semi-crystalline polymers are more resistant to creep than amorphous (or glassy) ones.
Low Maintenance
Drainage composites can be a cost-effective option for projects that require a strong drainage solution that will not creep, clog or block flow. They provide a high level of performance while requiring Plastic Dimple Drainage Board minimal maintenance, especially when compared to traditional options like gravel or sand. This can help to significantly reduce overall project costs and improve project longevity by reducing the need for costly maintenance.
Most commonly, geocomposite drains consist of a three-dimensional dimpled core bonded to a woven or nonwoven geotextile filter fabric that allows for directional water flow and helps to retain backfill materials. These prefabricated drainage composites can be installed as a central drain in a concrete slab, or as edge drains on road applications. Thicker versions can also be used as sheathed geosynthetic clay liners to help manage liquid drainage and prevent the migration of toxic gases in landfill applications.
HYDRODUCT 220, an extruded high-density polyethylene composite drain, is designed to withstand soil pressures and compaction forces in addition to maintaining its high water flow capacity. It can be installed directly underneath foundation walls and can help to relive hydrostatic pressure build up against subterranean surfaces. The flat side of this drain fits snugly against wall surfaces and is an ideal choice for retaining walls, underground parking and site drainage applications.
